In Revelation 9, John sees the torture and ultimate destruction of those who choose to not be marked by God. They choose to remain marked instead by their wicked works and unrepentance, giving themselves over to idols and rejecting a relationship with God (Revelation 9:20). In this vision, God protects those who choose to be marked by him, those who are repentant and are pursuing a relationship with him. But those who choose their own way face a life apart from his divine protection and presence.
The plagues of Revelation 9 echo the Old Testament plagues upon Egypt (Exodus 10:3–15). In that story, Pharaoh, driven by his hardened heart, seeks to keep the Israelites in bondage. Throughout the plagues, God gives Pharaoh a chance to change (Exodus 10:3).
In both Exodus and Revelation, God uses plagues to spur repentance. Locusts (Exodus 10:12; Revelation 9:3), darkness (Exodus 10:21; Revelation 9:2), hail and fire (Exodus 9:24; Revelation 9:17), and more were used to demonstrate both God’s power and his desire for reconciliation. Through the final plague in Exodus, God institutes Passover. By marking their doorposts with the blood of the Lamb, God protects his people from death (Exodus 12:13).
At Christmas, we rejoice in the ultimate Lamb born to rule, reign, and atone for us. And we rejoice in God’s promises fulfilled, as his plan for reconciliation with us was completed.
Now the church’s joy overflows as we sing:
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.
(Hark! The Herald Angels Sing)
When you believed in Jesus, you were marked by God (Ephesians 1:13). You are eternally protected from death by the blood of the Lamb. And we live in a world filled with people who refuse God’s mark. So we long for a relationship with Jesus—our Savior King—and pray for repentance for all who oppose him.
Respond
How is your life “marked” by God? Draw or list out ways that God is both Savior and Father. Do you know someone experiencing “plagues” to spur repentance? Pray for them to turn to God.